Realm Walker

"He's gone again," Zhang Yuanqing remarked.

Kou Beiyue shrugged. "That guy's always so secretive. We can't even be considered close. Last time, I was eating pickled cabbage instant noodles outside a convenience store when he just showed up out of nowhere and said he wanted to take me back up north..."

Zhang Yuanqing listened as the young man rambled on, recounting every last detail of how he'd met the Demon Eye Heavenly King. It suddenly dawned on him that this cool-looking teenager was, in fact, an absolute chatterbox.

When the story finally ended, Zhang Yuanqing offered his assessment. "You've really got guts."

Kou Beiyue lifted his chin with barely-concealed pride. "I know he's powerful, and probably a Saint-tier Enchanting Demon. But I have my own beliefs. The strong can make me afraid, but they can never make me submit."

Zhang Yuanqing gave him a pointed glance. "I was referring to the pickled cabbage noodles. Eating that takes real courage. I'd recommend picking up some antifungal cream to wash it down with."

Kou Beiyue's proud expression froze on his face.

"Let's pick up where we left off before that guy interrupted us earlier," Zhang Yuanqing suggested. "After you became an Enchanting Demon, you must have investigated who killed your sister. Tell me the details."

Hatred resurfaced on the young man's face. "That animal's name is Chi Yue'an. He's the Shakou District Steward, a Level 4 Fire Sage. From what I've heard, the Zhu family, one of the three Musician clans, placed him in the Five Elements Alliance. He was originally a live-in son-in-law who married into the Zhu family who then joined the Alliance."

Zhang Yuanqing listened in silence, forming a preliminary picture of the steward he'd just clashed with.

Kou Beiyue stopped talking.

"And then?" Zhang Yuanqing prompted.

"What do you mean, 'and then'?" the defiant youth shot back.

"Why did he kill your sister? Judging by her condition before death, she'd clearly been imprisoned, abused, and assaulted. That doesn't seem consistent with how a steward with such authority would behave. I can't think of a reason for someone like him to stoop that low. What happened to your sister before she disappeared? Where was she held afterward? Have you looked into any of this?"

Kou Beiyue shook his head in response.

Zhang Yuanqing stared at him in disbelief. "In two whole years, all you managed to find out was Chi Yue'an's background?"

Sensing the incredulous look, Kou Beiyue bristled defensively. "I'm not an official Walker. I don't have the right channels to conduct an investigation, and nobody ever taught me how. I'm better at fighting. Besides, the Enchanting Demon class doesn't exactly have natural detective skills.

"Not only that, but Chi Yue'an is part of the official organizations. He's been covering his tracks the entire time. Is it really so strange that I couldn't dig anything up?"

Isn't it just that you're an idiot? Zhang Yuanqing mused.

"Let me ask you something," he said instead. "Has it ever occurred to you that you could use your Enchanting Demon abilities on a Public Security Officer over a long period of time and have them investigate on your behalf?

That revelation seemed to surprise Kou Beiyue, and he went blank for a moment. After a long pause, he finally forced out an excuse.

"Master Wuhen set a rule. We're not allowed to use our abilities on ordinary people. Besides, if the officer dug up something dangerous and got silenced for it, wouldn't that just get an innocent person killed?"

I save one person and end up inheriting a whole mess of problems, Zhang Yuanqing complained inwardly. Better report this to the centurion.

"What are you planning to do next?" he asked the youth. "You should at least tell Xiao Yuan about the mark. That lunatic can track your location in real time."

Just then, Kou Beiyue's phone rang. When he saw it was Xiao Yuan calling, his face lit up with delight, but when he answered, his voice was deliberately dismissive.

"What now? Xiao Yuan, don't you ever stop? I'm exhausted. I need to sleep. Save the scolding for when I get back to the inn."

Xiao Yuan's tone was flat.

—Don't bother coming back. Master Wuhen has expelled you from the inn. You don't need to come back. Ever.

Kou Beiyue's expression froze. His face seemed drained of what little color it had. He drew a deep breath and let out a cold laugh.

"Fine by me. I've always been a lone wolf anyway. If you hadn't stuck your nose in my business back then, who knows where I'd be living it up right now. Who'd want to stay in that dump of an inn? I'm hanging up!"

He hung up, then crouched on the ground, defeated. His teeth were clenched and his expression fierce, but his eyes brimmed with sadness and desolation. He looked like a dog that had been abandoned.

***

At Wuhen Inn, Xiao Yuan ended the call, set her phone on the nightstand, and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"At least someone else is finally stepping into that whole mess," she murmured quietly.

She tidied her long hair, burrowed under the covers, and drifted off to sleep, worry-free at last.

***

Zhang Yuanqing sighed. "Well, no point mentioning the mark now. Let me point you in the right direction. If you want revenge, you could report Chi Yue'an to that lunatic from earlier. With you as a witness, he'd probably take action."

Kou Beiyue snorted. "My problems are my own. I don't need anyone's help. If he helps me, he'd just use it as leverage to drag me up north, and I wouldn't be able to refuse. But I don't want to go north. I hate the weather up there. I'd rather shiver through winter in the south."

Zhang Yuanqing nodded. "Then follow my lead. An official Walker harming civilians is a serious crime. As a Nocturnal Specter of the Taiyi Sect, I have the authority to investigate."

Kou Beiyue raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "You'd help me?"

"It's not about helping you. It's my duty. I get paid for this, might as well earn it." Zhang Yuanqing opened his Inventory and summoned the Demon-subduing Awl. "But first, let's purify that mark in your body. This item has the power of purification. The cost of using it is a sacrifice of blood essence. Stab yourself in the leg."

He tossed the awl over. Kou Beiyue caught the brass instrument without a moment's hesitation and drove it savagely into his thigh, plunging it deep. The awl was like a sponge, absorbing all the blood completely. The next instant, pure, luminous golden light erupted outward, enveloping the defiant youth.

Bathed in that radiance, Kou Beiyue felt a wave of heat, and the grievance, rage, and helplessness that had been crushing his heart began to dissolve. His thoughts cleared considerably.

He examined the item's properties while wincing through gritted teeth. It can even purify emotions to some extent?

"Good stuff. Shame the cost is too steep to use in combat." He let out a pained hiss. "That really hurts..."

No, you absolute fool, you're just too naive. I said to prick yourself, not impale your own leg down to the bone.

Zhang Yuanqing gave the youth a composed nod, maintaining his image as a steady, collected homebody. "Give it back."

Kou Beiyue tossed the powerful item back without hesitation. Zhang Yuanqing caught it and was about to return it to his inventory when a thought struck him. If I were the Demon Eye Heavenly King, wouldn't I have planted a mark on a Taiyi Sect Nocturnal Specter while I had the chance?

The man had claimed he needed evidence before killing, but an Evil-class Walker was still an Evil-class Walker, and the natural enemies of all who were Lawful. If the opportunity presented itself, marking a captain-level official Walker to track his location in real time was an obvious move.

Zhang Yuanqing reversed his grip on the Demon-subduing Awl and lightly pricked the skin of his thigh.

The Awl drew blood essence automatically, channeling the Power of the Diurnal Spirit back to its wielder and purifying all foreign influences within his body.

Kou Beiyue looked at the tiny wound on Zhang Yuanqing's leg, then down at the gash in his own leg that nearly exposed bone, and muttered, "Why didn't you say so earlier...?"

Zhang Yuanqing smirked. "I didn't expect you to go that hard on yourself. Now come on, we need to leave. Purifying the marks probably already tipped him off."

***

On a rooftop far from Kangyang District, the Demon Eye Heavenly King had been sweeping the area with his demon eye when he suddenly let out a puzzled sound.

He tilted his head, gazing back in the direction he'd come from. "My mark was purified? How could a mere Level 3 Nocturnal Specter have that kind of ability?"

He closed his vertical eye, secured his headband over it, and dialed one of his subordinates. "Look into something for me: the Taiyi Sect captain stationed in Kangyang District. Confirm whether his name is Yuan Ting, and pull together everything you can find on him."

—Yes, Heavenly King!

"And how's the intelligence gathering on Yuanshi Tianzun coming along? Has anyone submitted criminal evidence on him through the black market?" the Heavenly King asked.

—Nothing so far. There are no leads from Slaughter Cessation Palace members, and no criminal records on Yuanshi Tianzun either.

Finding people was difficult, especially when it came to Spirit Realm Walkers. The result was hardly surprising.

The Heavenly King clicked his tongue. "So this Yuanshi Tianzun really is a moral paragon?"

His subordinate paused.

—Heavenly King, based on the data we have, I believe that perhaps, well... He simply hasn't had time to commit any crimes yet.

After all, Yuanshi Tianzun had only joined the official ranks at most two months ago.

***

Inside a budget hotel in Kangyang District, Zhang Yuanqing stood at the end of the corridor and dialed Fu Qingyang's number.

When he answered, the centurion's voice was cold and detached.

—It's half past one in the morning. If you're calling me at this hour, it had better be important.

"It is. I have a major incident to report."

Zhang Yuanqing laid out the full story of the feud between Kou Beiyue and Chi Yue'an. Fu Qingyang's reply was succinct.

—Investigating a steward requires an elder's approval. Chi Yue'an is the steward of Shakou District, not a direct subordinate of Elder Teddy, so he won't get involved.

He paused, then offered some advice.

—If you want to intervene, gather the evidence and report him to the branch leadership.

"Understood. Any other advice, Centurion?" Zhang Yuanqing asked, trying to gauge Fu Qingyang's stance.

—Having a sense of justice is admirable, but you shouldn't be out and about right now. Investigating a steward-level Walker is a big deal. If things blow up, the Demon Eye Heavenly King will definitely catch wind of it. My recommendation is to leave it alone for now.

It should be fine. I can just use the Disguise Ring and investigate in secret.

"There's a second matter," Zhang Yuanqing said. "I just ran into the Demon Eye Heavenly King."

Fu Qingyang's tone sharpened.

—You've seen the Demon Eye?

Zhang Yuanqing recounted the encounter. A long silence followed before the centurion spoke again.

—Yuan Ting is well known in the Taiyi Sect. If the Demon Eye investigates, he'll quickly discover Yuan Ting is in the capital, so he couldn't have possibly run across him in Songhai. However, that alone won't lead him to conclude you're Yuanshi Tianzun. Continue to stay undercover. Don't involve yourself. The branch elders will be making moves soon. That said, this man is extremely cautious. He won't be easy to find.

"I have the Demon Eye Heavenly King on my friends list," Zhang Yuanqing said immediately. "We could track his location through his phone."

—Friends list? You actually added him as a friend?.

Fu Qingyang's surprise was palpable. He gave a cold a cold snort.

—How foolish. How do you know this isn't a ploy to lure you out? He knows you're an official Nocturnal Specter, yet he still added you. That alone should tell you everything.

"You're right, Centurion. I didn't think it through."

Fu Qingyang grunted in acknowledgment.

—One more thing. In a few days, I'll be holding an online White Tiger Guard meeting to announce plans to recruit you. Once the full roster approves it, I'll send you the formal invitation.

So I still have to wait a few more days. Centurion, I'm dying to get my hands on that multi-million yuan house.

Zhang Yuanqing kept his voice light as he replied, "Sounds good!"

They ended the call, and Zhang Yuanqing went back inside the room and exchanged contact information with Kou Beiyue.

A covert investigation might require an extra pair of hands. He told the youth to wait at his hotel for further instructions.

***

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing watched his little aunt leave for work, told his grandmother he had no classes that morning, and retreated to his bedroom with a clear conscience.

He didn't need to go into the office while laying low, which meant no seeing Guan Ya or Li Dongze, and he was getting restless cooped up at home. With nothing else to do, he might as well start looking into Steward Chi.

But first, there was another matter to settle: pulling Xiao Yuan into the guild.

He opened the guild warehouse interface, tapped the search icon in the upper right corner, and traced her name out with his finger. He then sent the recruitment invitation.

A few minutes later, he heard the chime of a Spirit Realm notification.

【Xiao Yuan has joined your guild.】

Actually, adding Guan Ya wouldn't be bad either. And the Slaughter Cessation Palace Master. Then my guild would be full of gorgeous women, and this Guild Leader would command a garden of beauties, renowned throughout the Walker world...

Zhang Yuanqing sent Xiao Yuan a message: I've taken care of Kou Beiyue. I'll try to look into his situation.

Xiao Yuan replied with a single "Mm."

She's probably thrilled that someone else is handling Kou Beiyue's mess.

Zhang Yuanqing typed another message.

Zhang Yuanqing: There's actually something I'd like to ask of you, Auntie Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan: What is it?

Zhang Yuanqing: I want to hunt down a Level 3 Enchanting Demon and refine it into a Yin corpse, but you know how it is. Evil-class Walkers are like rats in a sewer. I can't find any.

Xiao Yuan: So you need another sewer rat to help?

Zhang Yuanqing: Oh, come now, you're far too modest.

Xiao Yuan: Hmph. I'll see what I can do.

As they were chatting, a new message popped up on his phone. It was from Xie Lingxi.

Xie Lingxi: Bro Yuanshi, we have a new member? Who's Xiao Yuan? Is she a magical girl?

As a fellow guild member, Xie Lingxi had also received the Spirit Realm notification.

No, she's a magical auntie! Zhang Yuanqing mentally corrected her.

Zhang Yuanqing: You've met her before.

Xie Lingxi: Huh? But I don't know her. I've never even heard that name.

He sent Xiao Yuan a quick "Thanks" to wrap up their conversation, then replied to the little green tea princess.

Zhang Yuanqing: She's the receptionist at Wuhen Inn.

Xie Lingxi: What?! You recruited an Evil-class Walker into the guild? Isn't that a bad idea? That lady seemed really scary and mean. Is it really okay to have her in the guild? Can we trust her?

Xie Lingxi's only impression of Xiao Yuan was from their first meeting. All she remembered was a breathtakingly beautiful and impossibly alluring woman with a frigid and foul temper.

Zhang Yuanqing: Relax. She's a comrade of Ashamed Father. Her character is solid.

Zhang Yuanqing offered the green tea princess a few reassuring words, then was caught off-guard by an incoming call from his mother.

Her? He blinked, then quickly answered, his tone teasing.

"Well, well. Isn't this esteemed executive busy running an empire? You actually found time to call little old me? No meetings to attend? No deals to chase?"

His mother seemed oblivious to the sarcasm.

—About what we discussed before, I contacted that business partner of mine. He's free today and can meet with you.

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